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both and we want I &M to step up and do this and that is why it is important to speak the truth. It is the truth that coal is dangerous to our environment and it is the truth that Rockport is where I &M is burning coal in large quantities and that problem is not going to be changed until they transition away from Rockport. That is why the resolution should specifically call for closing that plant. Council Attorney Cekanski- Farrand asked if any other communities and their legislative bodies are addressing this issue and being asked to do this. Ms. Perras responded not yet. This was something that when a few councilmembers expressed interest in doing a resolution the Sierra Club took them up on their offer. We did go to the City of Indianapolis during a past campaign and we had the votes to pass it when Indianapolis power announced they would stop burning coal at the local power plant. They converted that plant to natural gas. Committee Chair Dr. Varner stated when Ms. Perras and he first had a discussion on this issue he took away that there is a whole lot of room for disagreement and agreement on this issue. What the biggest disagreement seems to be is over the timeline of how this transition happens. It seems what the vast majority of everyone wants is an eventual transition to these renewable resources and that looks like it will happen eventually. Committee Chair Dr. Varner stated there are many things involved in regards to values of the City. One value would be health, and the other value that exists is public labor at the plants. To the extent that this resolution goes to the Council, it may not be the exact language the Sierra Club wants and they will be free to pull it if that is the case. From that aspect, part of the Council's job is to represent everyone not just the few thousand people in Indiana that are part of the Sierra Club. He expressed his support for a well thought out organized plan where everyone can look at it and say that we are moving forward in a positive way. Committeemember Davis stated he likes Committee Chair Dr. Varner's thoughts on the issue. He stated his opinion that the two (2) sides can keep talking and having dialogue and get as close together as we can on the language. We need to go line by line and get something we are all relatively happy with. Since South Bend would be the first city to specifically address this issue it would nice to have something positive and state where we are on our values. This is the beginning of a coming together from both groups and it's better to have a simple statement that everyone can agree with than to have nothing or something that is divisive. Committee Chair Dr. Varner asked if anyone from the Sustainability office would like to speak. Therese Dorau, Director of the Office of Sustainability with offices on the 13th Floor of the County -City Building, stated she has great relationships with both I &M and the Sierra Club. I &M has been a responsive and supportive partner in regards to our economic development effort and infrastructure that were needed. In her opinion, I &M's renewable energy policies are not as aggressive as you would see in other utilities however they are beholden to their shareholders and state policy is extraordinarily difficult to navigate at this point. The issue with the energy efficiency programs was a disaster for all utilities in the state. I &M is not pushing the most aggressive energy policies but like Mr. Cobb stated it is our goal and job to push them 7